Adventures in a new dimension
Not long after being laid off from the newspaper in 2008, I started a freelance gig I called Five Buck Bits. It was a source of news briefs (briefs being my theme for some time now) for regional parenting publications, bits they could purchase from my website for $5 per bit to add to their publications, online or in print.
One of the bits I wrote regarded the appropriateness of taking youngsters to 3-D movies. In part, here is the advice from that brief:
Parents planning on taking their children to see one of the season’s popular 3-D films need to know how to determine if the kids can see 3-D, then prepare them for what will happen during a 3-D movie if they have never seen one before.
Dr. Brad Habermehl, President of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development, says many children may miss out on all the excitement if they can’t see 3-D. “Unfortunately, most parents have no idea how their children see their world, and children don’t complain if they can’t see 3-D.”
Consider the signs. Your child may not be able to see 3-D if he or she:
• is clumsy—spills milk when going down stairs, climbing play structures or avoids them all together;
• has difficulty hitting or catching pouring, trips while walking, bumps into things;
• is scared of escalators, a ball.<snipped to shorten for this post>
If your child can see 3-D, it’s still best when a child has never seen a 3-D movie before to prepare him beforehand for what he will see. Explain to your child how with most movies the picture stays on the movie screen. But in 3-D movies, the picture will look as if it is filling the whole theater and viewers may feel like they can reach out and touch the characters. Also be sure to tell your child ahead of time that if he doesn’t like what he sees or he feels uncomfortable, he can close his eyes until he feels comfortable opening them again.
During the 3-D movie, keep an eye on your child, watching for any signs of a headache, nausea or dizziness during or shortly afterwards. ...
Because of that little brief written more than a year ago, I've been hesitant about taking Bubby to see a 3-D movie.
During his Thanksgiving visit to his paternal grandparents, though, Bubby was treated to the newest Happy Feet movie. In 3-D. And he did just fine! No headache, no nausea, no dizziness. (Although Megan did tell me that, for some reason, he decided to wear his 3-D glasses upside down the entire time.)
With the success of Bubby's first venture into 3-D, I now feel safe in taking my grandson—along with the rest of the family—to a 3-D movie while everyone is together for the Christmas holiday. This is what I'm planning for us to see:
Maybe we'll all wear our 3-D glasses upside down for the duration of the film, just to add yet another dimension to the adventure. (Except for Baby Mac, of course, whose eyes I'll likely be shielding for safety's sake.)
Today's question:
What is the first 3-D film you recall seeing?
Monday, December 26, 2011
Reader Comments (8)
I can't see 3-D. :( Luckily, most films are available in the theaters both ways. But if you watch a 3-D film in 2-D, it affects the quality of the film. For instance, the last "Pirates" movie was really dark in 2-D, apparently because of how it had to be filmed for 3-D. Sigh.
The first 3-D film I ever went to was "Amityville Horror 3-D." SUCH a disappointment because I couldn't see the 3-D effects and the movie was just so BAD!
This past July, my hubby and I took our Granddaughter to the most recent Cars movie in 3D.
Once the popcorn was finished our Granddaughter became bored, so she and I left the theater for her sake (and the sake of others)...and went out into the mall for some shopping instead. Poppa wasn't bored and loved the 3D. I didn't have the heart to make him leave with us. We met up with him afterwards.
In retrospect, I'm pretty sure if it was a 3D princess movie my Granddaughter wouldn't have been bored. Not sure about Poppa?
I don't remember ever seeing a 3-D movie until I saw Avatar, although I'm sure I must have seen one because I remember those paper glasses with one red lens and one green one.
I remember going to those really ancient horror films where they handed out those cardboard 3d glasses. If I'm not mistaken (and I could be) I saw a 1961 film called "The Pit and the Pendulum" in 3D. Very scary! Back then it was quite cool. Now it gives me a headache. When did I get so old? LOL
I know I saw a 3D movie, but I can't remember what it was.
Our grandkids recently saw one at the science museum, and our 3-yr-old granddaughter wore her 3D glasses upside down, too. Maybe they're just more comfortable?
Merry Christmas!
Thank you for posting this...I had no idea that children might not see in 3D. I personally don't care for them because I cannot seem to get those dorky glasses to fit over my regular glasses, but last year I took my granddaughter to see a movie and only discovered AFTER the movie started that it was 3D. Guess I wasn't too observant :-)
My granddaughter was only 3 and had never been to a 3D movie so she didn't understand why we had to wear the glasses but she eventually left them on and enjoyed the movie.
I am going to share this post...other parents and grandparents need to know about this as well.
~Anna
I had no idea that kids might not see in 3D. Good info! I know I saw a 3D movie when I was little, I can remember wearing those glasses -- but I have no idea what it was. Like Terri I remember it being a horror film but not sure what it was.
Somehow I missed the 3D movies in the fifties, I guess because I was a little young for horror flicks. The first 3D I remember seeing was at Disney World in the 1980s. We just went to see Tintin for my grandson's birthday celebration, and we all loved it.